Joliet Catholic Academy President/Principal Dr. Jeffrey Budz is pleased to announce the January Students of the Month: Grace Buss (Kiwanis Club), John Ehrsam (Rotary Club), and Cameron Batis (Lions Club). JCA is proud of the success these students have exhibited both in the classroom and out in the community.

Grace Buss, daughter of Bryan and Jennifer Buss, currently has a 4.20 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Buss is a member of National English Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society (where she serves as social media director and historian), and JCA Student Ambassadors. Buss served as captain of the JCA varsity cross country team this past fall. She also serves as secretary of the JCA Senior Student Council and president of the JCA Respect Life Club. She also is a varsity cheerleader, member of JCA’s Habitat for Humanity Club, member of the JCA varsity soccer team, and a member of the JCA Freshmen Mentor program. Buss is currently undecided on her collegiate choice, but is interested in studying business/marketing with fashion and eco-sustainability.

John Ehrsam, son of Matt and Sarah Ehrsam, currently has a 4.60 GPA in JCA Honors classes. Ehrsam is a member of National English Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Math National Honor Society. He’s received high honors in Physical Education, JCA Broadcasting, and the JCA Spirit of Broadcasting Award. Ehrsam is also leader in the JCA HillZone student cheering section as well as JCA Student Ambassadors. In 2020 he was named to the ESCC All-Conference Honor Mention and Joliet Herald News All Area Honorable mention teams in basketball, where he serves as the Hilltoppers’ captain. Ehrsam is also a three-year member of the varsity football team. Currently undecided on his collegiate choice, Ehrsam has offers to play collegiate football and plans to study civil engineering.

Cameron Batis, daughter of Mike and Jamie Batis, currently has a 4.24 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Batis is a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and received high honors in her General Business class. She is the president of Key and Leo club, vice president of NHS, vice president of NEHS, and a member of JCA Campus Ministry, Habit for Humanity, and Respect Life Club. She also has served as a leader on JCA’s capstone senior retreat, Kairos. Batis was a member of the JCA state runner-up varsity volleyball team in 2019 and also plays club volleyball for UNO Volleball 18 Elite. Batis is signed to continue her academic and athletic career at Carson-Newman University and plans to study Business Management/Pre-Med.